Tone, or It's all in the delivery

The English language is a fascinating monster in which there are so many ways to express one's meaning. That's what they teach us college g'aduates is tone. Add a little bit of connotation/denotation and you get an array of ways to say simple things such as "no" and "yes." For example:

Why don't you wish in one hand, and shit in the other. See which one fills up first.
--Willie in "Badder Santa"

All our prayers are answered, it's just sometimes the answer is no.
--from Christopher Durang's "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You"

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
--"The Rainbow Connection" written by Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams

This came to me as I was listening to Jason Mraz's rendition of "The Rainbow Connection" which reminded me about the "Badder Santa" quote as I saw that this weekend, and then, one of my favorite play lines from Christopher Durang's humorous look at Catholic education. Each a good way to say sometimes your wishes and dreams don't come true: the first is a more harsh and vulgar way to deliver the news, the second is much more straightforward, and the third is mysterious in saying that wishes don't always come true, but you keep on wishing because, well... who knows? Holy crap! This is what a six figure education will get you: my brief analysis of three different quotes. Someone want to pay me for that?

Anyways, who doesn't like the last quote best besides the International Goth Society? It's hopeful, isn't it? We have enough problems with idiot politicians in this world that shitting in anyone's hand isn't going to get you anywhere, and settling for "no" is as passive as an oppressed Taliban-ese wife. But to know that maybe you have something to do with the answer, something that might get you closer to what you want (though wishing on stars shouldn't be the end all, be all of your effort), that's just so much better than just saying, "Well, okay, then. I guess the answer's no." Keep on stargazing, babies, and you'll find it.... And that's today's lesson in tone--next week, we'll discuss euphemisms.

The Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic...

... Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
... Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Laa, da daa dee da daa daa,
La laa la la laa dee daa doo...